and manner, which the reader may expect. For inaccuracies of this kind, when met with, he requests a favourable indulgence: for errors as an historian, he has none to expect.

Limeric, Jan. 12, 1778.

S. O'HALLORAN,

R E

A D E

R.

T

HOUGH the last chapter of this hiftory con

tains the ancient name of territories and lands in an alphabetical order, and by what families poffeffed, which may serve as a reference to the reader in most inftances, in the course of this work; yet for his greater ease, the following expreffions, which often occur are here explained.

Clana-Baoifgne, the knights of Leinster, fo called from this Baoifgne, ancestor to the famous general Fion-Mac-Cumhal.

Clana-Deaghadh, the knights of Munfter, fo called from Deagadh,,of the Ernain race, who introduced a new discipline amongst them.

Clana-Morni, were the Conaught knights, who were fo called from Morni, father to the renowned hero Goll.

Curiathe-na-Craobh (or rather Crobh) Ruadh, were the knights of Ulfter-the words Curiathe-na-CraobhRuadh, literally fignify the knights of the Red Branch; but I am inclined to think it should have been wrote Crobh-Ruadh, or of the Bloody Hand, being the enfign of thefe heroes.

Dal

Dal Ccas, or (as it is pronounced) Dal-Gas, the pofterity of Cormoc, called Cas, or the Well beloved, fecond fon to Olioll-Olom, king of Munster, from whom all the great families of North Munfter, or Thomond, are called Dal-Gas, or Dal-Gaffians.

Dal-Riada, the pofterity of Cairbre-Riada, as well in Scotland as in Ireland.

Degaids, or Ernains of Munster, the names given to a tribe who, about a century before Chrift, got large poffeffions, and became a great people in Munster. They were named Degaids from their leader, and Ernains, from their first fettlement about Loch-Erne, in the North.

Eoganachts, the pofterity of Eogan, eldeft fon to Olioll-Olom. From him all the great families of Defmond, or South Munster, are called Eoganachts.

The Heberians, the defcendants of Heber, eldest son to Milefius.

Heremonians, the iffue of Heremon, youngest son to

Milefius.

The Irians, or Irian race, fo called from Ir, fifth son to Milefius.

They

The Ithians, or race of Ith, fo called from Ith, fon to Breogan, who was grandfather to Milefius. are named Clana-Breoguin, or Brigantes.

Leath Cuin, the northern half of Ireland, fo named from a famous partition treaty, made in the second cen

tury,

tury, between Con of the Hundred Battles, and Eogan the Great, king of Munfter.

Leath-Mogha, the fouthern half of Ireland, (a line being drawn from Dublin to Galway). It was fo called from Mogha, one of the furnames of Eogan.

In

Milesians, the name by which the ancient Irish are generally diftinguished from thofe of later periods. the native Irish they are called Clana-Miledh, or the pofterity of the Hero. His real name was Gollamh, but, as a mark of pre-eminence, he was moftly called Miledh-Efpaine, or the Hero of Spain; hence Milefians. He was the father to Heber and Heremon, who conquered Ireland in the year of the world (according to the Hebrews) 2736.

THE

The means by which the very early periods of Irish history have been preserved—the landing of Partholan and his followers in Ireland-a colony from Africa faid to have preceded themthe number of lakes and rivers then found in Ireland, with a remark-names of fome places, why impofed-death of Partholan, and extinction of this people.

IN

N the year of the world, according to the Hebrew computation, 2736, in the month of Bel or May, and the 17th day of the moon's age, according to the relation of Ambergin, high-prieft to this expedition*, Ireland was invaded by a numerous body of felect troops, from Galicia in Spain. After fubduing the country, and establishing their government on a permanent bafis, as fhall be related in its place, they set on foot an inquiry into the history and antiquities

VOL. I.

*Leabhat Lecan.

B

of